Seminars

NetComposites Ltd, the organiser of EcoComp 2019, has issued a call for papers. Ecocomp 2019, which takes place at the Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry UK on 19-20 June 2019, will focus on composite materials derived from sustainable sources.

Ecological awareness has stimulated an increased interest in sustainable materials, and issues such as recyclability and environmental responsibility are becoming ever more important for the introduction of new composite materials and products. Environmental legislation and consumer demand are increasing the pressure on manufacturers and end-products to consider the impact of their products at all stages of their life cycle. These issues continue to generate considerable interest in the development of composite materials based on renewable resources, with environmentally friendly and affordable alternatives for conventional fibres and polymers enabling the development of true bio composites.

NetComposites Ltd was established in 2000 in Chesterfield in the UK, initially as a news and information portal for the composites industry. Since then, the company has grown year-on-year, its activities broadening to include applied research and development, conferencing and training.

The free seminar programme for Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2018 has been announced. Running in two lecture theatres on all three days of the show, February 6th to 8th, the 2018 programme features an impressive line-up of presenters and topics, and is guaranteed to be of interest to anyone involved in any form of industrial or manufacturing enterprise.

The free seminar programme at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is one of the key features of the show, drawing hundreds of delegates each year. The programme is a complementary blend of technical and business topics covering a wide range of issues facing manufacturing businesses today. From understanding lithium ion batteries and Industry 4.0, to the forthcoming GDPR regulations and life after Brexit, the sessions genuinely deliver something for everyone.

Two of the most perennially popular speakers return for 2018. With examples from manufacturing, service and warehousing, Tim Scurlock, Director of ALC, will guide delegates through the benefits of Lean, include eliminating waste from existing processes, together the problems and pitfalls in bringing Lean into their organisations. Ailsa Carson of Onsite Insights shares the best practice methodologies and key activities that have made some of the world’s greatest manufacturers so successful. Using real world examples, the sessions look at how top firms remain innovative and produce the best quality product in terms of design, cost, performance, quality and delivery.

Some of the more technical topics addressed include Nick Aitken and Dr. Alex Martin’s session on lithium-ion batteries; explaining their benefits and application while raising awareness of potential failings and regulatory matters. Using case study examples of the limitless applications of 3D Print, Colin Cater of Tri-Tech 3D looks at the benefits that this new technology brings across all sectors and the many opportunities it could open. Dr. John Loftus of HMK Automation & Drives takes a look at the future role of Cobots, collaborative robots intended to physically interact with humans in a shared workplace. This session looks at latest developments in the field with examples of industrial applications in the manufacturing process.

Business management and strategy also comes under the spotlight for 2018. The General Data Protection Regulations come into force on 25th May 2018 affecting all personal data, and introducing new requirements and huge fines for transgressions. Dave Smith of Corpdata shares the essential knowledge to help keep your organisation compliant and safe. In two separate sessions by Andrew Mackenzie of Cleveland Scott York, and Kelda Style of Page,White & Farrer, delegates can gain a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of IP law; what can be protected and what tangible value IP protection adds to businesses.

In total, the seminar programme for Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2018 includes an impressive 34 sessions, all of which are completely free to both visitors and exhibitors. A complete listing and the all-important pre-registration form can be found at http://seminars.industrysouth.co.uk

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2018 opens from February 6th to 8th. Admission to the show is free. More information and tickets are available from www.industrysouth.co.uk. Farnborough Exhibition and Conference Centre offers free on-site car parking and is easily reached by road, air or public transport.

Exhibitions are all about discovery. But finding new suppliers and hardware is only part of what Northern Manufacturing & Electronics has to offer. Along with discovering the latest products, technologies and services, the show also gives visitors the opportunity to encounter new ideas and new approaches to managing a profitable and efficient engineering enterprise thanks to its comprehensive free technical seminar programme. A key feature of the show, the seminar programme runs over both days of the event and is open to all visitors and exhibitors. Over the last five years, hundreds of delegates have benefited from expert insights into many aspects of modern industrial enterprise, from leading-edge technology and business practices, to the latest regulations.

The programme for 2017 sees the return of several of the most popular presenters and topics of previous years, plus some new sessions on forthcoming regulations and legislation that will likely affect many engineering businesses over the course of coming year.

Advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 are subjects that attract wide interest from every sector of manufacturing. Alistair Williamson, Managing Director of Manchester-based Lucid Innovation provides an introduction to how connected networks of objects offer opportunities to collect, exchange and exploit the value of data in more efficient and sustainable ways. A key takeaway from the session will be simple techniques to check whether the Internet of Things (IoT) really adds value to your business and some ideas on making the right choice of technology. Rob Pitts of leading 3D print experts, Tri-Tech 3D, will give an overview of the seemingly limitless applications that are being discovered for this new technology across all manufacturing sectors. Case studies illustrate new opportunities it could open for you.

As a management tool, Lean has something to offer every business wishing to eliminate waste and maximise performance. Presenter Tim Scurlock spearheaded the introduction of Lean concepts into General Motors’ business over a ten year period. Since founding his own consultancy in 2011, Tim has worked with a wide variety of manufacturing and service businesses to remove waste, standardise process and increase quality and responsiveness. Through case study examples, delegates will identify some of the methods, tools and concepts to successfully introduce Lean and the pitfalls to watch out for.

Further insight into improving efficiency and profitability is offered by Ailsa Kaye, Managing Director of Onsite Insights. Established in 2004 around a core team drawn from the DTI’s successful 20-year Inside UK Enterprise programme, Onsite Insights delivers a range of regional and national visit programmes, events, workshops and study tours. Delegates will gain first-hand insight into the factors behind the success of some of the UK’s best companies.

The General Data Protection Regulations, which come into effect next May, will have a profound effect on how data is managed and used. Nearly all businesses will be affected in some way by the new regulations, which carry extremely severe penalties for non-compliance. Yet, over a third of UK businesses remain unaware of the new law or what they need to do. Sessions running on both days of Northern Manufacturing 2017 will attempt to address this potentially disastrous knowledge gap, briefing delegates on how different organisations will be affected and how can you make sure your company is fully prepared for the introduction of GDPR. This one session alone would make a visit to the show worthwhile!

All seminar sessions at Northern Manufacturing & Electronics 2017 are free, but we strongly urge you to pre-register to secure your place. Full details on all sessions and how to register are here www.industrynorth.co.uk

This week the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced plans to grant the public greater control over the use of personal data through the strengthening of UK data protection law. The announcement sets out how the European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be transferred to UK law following the UK’s departure from the EU. Features of the bill include criminal offences to deter organisations from creating situations where someone could be identified from anonymised data. There will be new rules on data protection and anyone handling data will be made more accountable for the data they process. A crucial feature of the new legislation is the very severe penalties for non-compliance, and all companies that handle any form of personal data will be risking potentially catastrophic fines if they don’t prepare for the new rules that come into effect next Spring.

One of the ways you can get ready for GDPR is to attend the free seminar session at Northern Manufacturing & Electronics 2017. Running on both days of the show, the one-hour session aims to deliver an overview of the new regulations from the particular viewpoint of SME’s, how those regulations will affect your business and the steps you need to be taking now towards compliance. Places are limited, so secure yours today by registering at www.industrynorth.co.uk

The EEF offers a comprehensive range of courses for engineering professionals at its Reading Office. Here is a list of upcoming events. Follow the links to find out more and book your place. The EEF also offers tailored courses which can be delivered at your location. More information can be found here www.eef.org.uk/training for the full range of training the EEF can offer.

This one-day highly practical course will prepare managers and leaders to use a range of styles to support and develop their people for higher performance and productivity. The models and skills learnt at this workshop can be applied formally and informally in a wide range of workplace situations to support a culture of continuous improvement. By developing effective coaching skills, delegates will develop an effective method of developing individuals and teams to raise confidence and competence in the workplace.

This two-day practical course will benefit individuals who need to design and deliver interactive workplace training sessions to groups of learners. It is aimed at managers, department heads, supervisors, team leaders and trainers. It will also be useful to those who are responsible for delivering theoretical information and support to groups of people and wish to encourage participation in these training sessions. Numbers are kept low to enable delegates to practice their skills and work on their specific challenges.

A step by step guide to how to meet the new legal requirements for reporting your gender pay information. We will tell you how to ensure your organisation is not only compliant but also shown in the best possible light

This one-day course provides delegates with the knowledge and confidence to deal effectively with disciplinary and grievance issues using informal counselling. Attendees will learn how to resolve low level conduct offences and nip grievances in the bud, in order to avoid matters escalating to a formal level. They will also learn how to tackle more serious disciplinary offences through formal disciplinary action, and how to handle grievances formally and fairly in line with legislation

This half-day programme is for line managers, supervisors and HR professionals who have to conduct challenging conversations with staff, perhaps about their behaviour, results, or actions. It will also cover how to handle demanding and testing individuals. This course will equip managers with the necessary confidence, knowledge and skills to engage with people from a productive and focused position

This one-day course provides delegates with the tools to ensure that their recruitment process is thorough, effective, fair and free from discrimination. It is relevant to anyone involved in the recruitment process, who wishes to select the best person for the job and get past stock answers and rehearsed phrases. This course will help delegates to improve their organisation’s substantial return on investment in recruitment – both financially and in management time – by improving processes and practices.

This innovative training programme provides a unique opportunity for HR professionals and managers to increase the depth of their expertise in all key areas of HR and to share knowledge and network with other delegates. Each session is coordinated and managed by a highly experienced EEF HR adviser with current best practice knowledge gained from delivering practical HR consultancy to a range of clients. The EEF adviser will act as a mentor to delegates over a 12 month period and monitor progress. The programme is conducted over 12 half-days over a 12 month period. It is delivered through small discussion groups and workshops, ensuring closer tuition to promote personalised, applied learning.

The falling pound has been good news for exports. But for those venturing into overseas markets for the first time, the subject of obtaining payment and using letters of credit can be bewildering. The sobering fact is that over 75% of first presentations to banks against documentary letters of credit are rejected, resulting in delayed payments to exporters, additional costs and breached delivery deadlines.

However help is at hand thanks to a workshop being run by Chamber International at Bradford Chamber Business Park on November 9th. The one day workshop covers the 5 main types of payment for exports, from advance payment to open account, including Sight Documentary Collection, Term Documentary Collection and Documentary Letters of Credit. It includes the use of Bills of Exchange with and without documents. This course is suitable for all staff who need to have a clear understanding of the procedures required to ensure payments for goods sold on documentary credit terms. Knowledge and understanding is reinforced through the use of exercises, tips on getting the credit you want and working examples of documentary credits. Essential learning for accounts, export and sales teams.

The course is from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The costs are £295 +VAT for members of the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, or £390 +VAT Non-Members. The cost includes lunch and refreshments. To find out more about the course, visit the Chamber International website or to reserve your place, click here

Patents and other IP (intellectual property (IP) rights are vital assets which need to be protected, says Northern Manufacturing exhibitor Marks & Clerk. The firms says that to make the most of these rights, a business should follow a carefully planned strategy ensuring that new ideas are identified early on, and that the protection obtained is in tune with the organisation’s commercial objectives.

The firm will be showcasing its services at the show on stand D31, where it will be launching its new Brand Protection Strategy Service. For a special one-off fee of £1,000, plus VAT to start-ups and SME, the firm’s team of specialists will work with you to investigate any existing, brand-related IP you may have and develop a comprehensive report to help you establish a robust brand protection strategy for your business. Experts will be on hand offering complimentary, one-to-one IP session’s to discuss any issues or challenges visitors may have with regard to IP-related matters. There’s also a prize draw to win a “His and Her Hamper” for two courtesy, of Hotel Chocolat.

For those wishing to find out more about the subject of IP protection, Peter Roberts, partner and patent attorney at Marks & Clerk, will deliver a presentation this afternoon (Wednesday 30th Sept), as part of the Northern Manufacturing & Electronics free technical seminar programme. Peter presents “How to adopt a successful IP strategy to harness your competitive advantage” at 3.10pm (Session 6), where he will provide case study examples from the manufacturing and electronics sector to show what can be done to ensure your R&D spend is not wasted, and how to protect your ideas and inventions from competitors.

On Wednesday 27th November 2.00 – 5.00pm UK Time, Bob and a host of expert speakers will be running a High Temperature Electronics Manufacturing webinar, covering numerous aspects of high temperature production techniques.

Bob Willis introduces the webinar below:

When we start to talk about high temperature electronics it’s not the solder it’s all of the parts that make up an electronics product. Substrates, components, connectors, cables, solder and assembly process need to be examined. Working at high temperature means between 150-200C, however, there are many applications that have to work at much higher levels, up to 300C. Typically the industries affected by these hostile working conditions include, aerospace, automotive, petrochemical and military

This online technical webinar will be held on between 2.00–5.00pm UK Time. By booking one place one or a group of engineers in a conference room can participate in this event making it an extremely cost effective educational session

The seminar will last approximately 3hrs, with different presentations every 30min, including a question and answer session. There is no need to miss any of the speakers as registered delegates can select any of the presentations to watch live on the day or online at their leisure after the event at a time that is convenient to them. Delegates will also receive a copy of all of the slides presented by the speakers The seminar will be organised and chaired by Bob Willis who is well known in the industry for running manufacturing workshops at industry events worldwide and regular webinars with NPL, SMART, IPC and SMTA

Presentations by Bob Willis are among the highlights of a full day workshop at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). The workshop will combine presentations with hands-on sessions on the Centre’s full set of SMT manufacturing equipment. Book now to take advantage of this unique training opportunity combining theory and practical hands on experience, and covering some of the industry’s hottest topics, including:

About the Manufacturing Technology CentreThe Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) represents a £40.5million publicly funded investment in the future of UK manufacturing. Working together with industrial members, academia and other institutions, the focus is to prove new technologies on an industrial scale. In the electronics sector the MTC’s fully automated, state-of-art printed circuit board assembly facilities are positioned to support electronics companies in driving their outputs to higher levels of quality, delivery and productivity, without compromising production schedules on their own equipment www.the-mtc.org

Exhibiting for its 4th year at the Southern Manufacturing & Electronics Show, York EMC Services will this year be offering one lucky visitor the chance to win a free place on one of its 1 day compliance training workshops*. To find out more, visit the York EMC Services stand, H63.

In addition, Nick Wainwright, York EMC’s Chief Operating Officer, will be speaking as part of the free technical seminars on Day 1. The title of his presentation, "Administrative Compliance – Your Achilles Heel?" will contain examples and tips to help you avoid your products being non-compliant because of inadequate documentation.